Watch supporting devices



March 1, 1960 RUSSELL T. WING WATCH SUPPORTING DEVICES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Jan. 51, 1957 IN VEN '1 OR R0555 VWN United States Patent2,926,825 WATCH SUPPORTING DEVICES Russell T. Wing, Excelsior, Minn.Application January 31, 1957, Serial No. 637,438 6 Claims. (Cl. 224-4)This invention relates to an improved device for detachably supporting aso-called wrist watch upon the hand of an individual, whereby the faceof the watch is fully exposed at all times.

The usual wrist hands now commonly employed for supporting a wrist watchupon an individuals wrist have not proven entirely satisfactory in thatthey are usually more or less free to rotate upon the wrist, whereby thewatch may, at times, be positioned at the front of the wrist and atother times at the back of the wrist, or elsewhere around thecircumference of the wrist. It is also generally known that a wristwatch supported with a conventional wrist band is likely to be concealedunder the sleeve portion of a garment, such as a shirt or a jacket,whereby it is often necessary for the user to momentarily slide thegarment sleeve upwardly out of concealing relationship to the watch,when he desires to check the time. Conventional wrist bands are alsousually made comparatively wide and snug fitting, particularly bands formens watches, which may cause some irritation to the wearers wrist as aresult of perspiration, particularly when the watch is worn in warmweather.

The present invention is the result of long and tedious experimentalwork in an attempt to develop a device for supporting a small watch onthe edge or side of the hand of an individual, in which all of theobjectionable features now inherent in conventional wrist watch bandshave been completely eliminated, and whereby the watch cannot relativelyshift its position upon the wearers hand.

An important object of the present invention therefore, is to provide aso-called harness for supporting a small watch upon an individuals handadjacent to the base of the thumb, whereby it cannot relatively shiftits position on the individuals hand, and whereby it is retained inplain view at all times.

A further object is to provide a harness for detachably supporting aso-called wrist watch upon an individuals hand, which harness comprisesan elongated preferably flexible element having its opposite endssecured respectively to the forwardly and rearwardly facing portions ofthe body of the watch and cooperating therewith to form a loop adaptedto receive the thumb of the wearer, and whereby the watch is positionedon the top of the thumb at the base of the usual V formed between theforefinger and thumb, and additional means being connected to therearwardly directed portion of the watch adapted to encircle the wristand prevent said loop from becoming disengaged from the thumb.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide aharness for a so-called wrist watch, comprising two loops, one forreceiving the thumb and the other the wrist, said loops cooperating tosupport the watch on the top edge of the hand, at the base of the Vformed between the thumb and the forefinger of the users hand whereby itis readily visible at all times.

Also by thus supporting the watch on the edge of the hand the watch isnot so likely to strike or engage foreign objects as a result ofswinging movements of the arm while walking, which might cause seriousdamage to the watch.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide aharness for supporting a small watch upon an individuals hand, saidharness comprising an elongated element of small cross-section havingone end secured to the forwardly facing edge portion of the watch andextending downwardly between the wearers thumb and forefinger andencircling the base of the thumb, and means being provided at the rearor opposite end of said member for securing it to the rearwardly facingportion of the watch case, and a semi-rigid member having one endfixedly secured to the rear portion of the watch and extendingrearwardly and outwardly therefrom and overlying the top of the wrist,and a hooklike element or segment having one end connected to the outerend of said semi-rigid member and extending therefrom around the backand bottom sides of the wrist, and an elongated connecting member havingone end movably connected to the free end of said hook-like element, andhaving means at its opposite end for detachably connecting it to thewatch, whereby said connecting member cooperates with said hook-likeelement and said semi-rigid member to encircle the wrist to preventdisplacement of the watch upon the wearers hand.

A further object is to provide a harness for supporting a wrist watchcomprising two loops, one for encircling the thumb of an individualshand and. the other the wrist of the wearers hand, said loops soarranged relatively to one another and to the body of the watch, thatwhen in operative position upon the users hand, the watch cannotrotatively shift its position on the edge of the wearers hand.

A further object is to provide a watch supporting harness of the classdescribed, comprising a narrow semi-rigid strap-like element havingmeans at one end for attaching it to a watch, said element. beingadapted to partially encircle the wrist and being bendable whereby itmay readily be shaped to fit the contour of the wearers wrist,circumferentially, thereby to prevent said wrist encircling element fromrotatively shifting its position upon the wearers wrist, and aconnecting member having one end movably connected to the opposite orfree end of said semi-rigid element, said connecting member having meansat its opposite end for attaching it to the watch and cooperating withsaid semi-rigid element to provide a loop adapted to loosely encirclethe wrist, and other loop means encircling the thumb and cooperatingwith said first loop means to retain the watch in a relatively fixedposition on the top edge of the wearers hand at the base of the thumb,where it is clearly visible at all times.

Other objects of the invention reside in the simple and inexpensiveconstruction of the watch supporting device, per se, whereby it may bemanufactured in quantity production at extremely low cost; in the uniqueconstruction of the wrist encircling portion or band of said device orharness, whereby when applied to a wrist, it will fit the oval orsomewhat flattened cross-sectional contour of the wrist, whereby thecomposite wrist band cannot relatively rotate upon the wearers wristwhen in use; and in the means embodied in said wrist encircling band forfacilitating its application to the wrist or its detachment therefrom,said band assuring the indvidual carrying the watch, that the watch isnot likely to become displaced on his hand, even when indulging inactive sporting events, such as when playing ball, swimming, etc.,provided, of course that the watch is fully waterproof; and in theprovision of a thumb encircling loop having means for attaching it toone side of the watch case only, and in such a manner that it mayreadily'be increased or decreased in size to fit the wearers thumb.

These an'd other objects of the invention andthe means for theirattainment will be more apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompartying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed astructuredesigned to carryout the various objects of the invention, but it is tobeunderstood that the invention is notconfined to the exact featureshown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claimswhich follow:

lnthe drawings:

Figure l is a view' showing a watch supported on an indiViduals hand bythe novel watch supporting device herein disclosed;

FigureZ is a view showing the watch detached from the individuals hand,and showing the wrist encircling portion of the harness inopen'position;

FigureS isa rear edgeview of the watch showing the wrist encirclingmeansin opcrative'or securing position, as shown in Figure 1, the dotted eswithin the wrist encircling means representing the wrist of the usershand;

IFigure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure2, showing the connecting elements provided at the front and rear edgeportions of the body of the watch for connecting the loop forming meansthereto;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a watchsupportingharness of slightly modified construction, wherein the portions of thewrist band which engage the back and bottom sides of the wrist are madeintegral;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line a e of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure5, showing the latch for closing the band around the wearers wrist;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary iew illustrating the connection between thefree end of the wrist band and the fixed end thereof and also theconnection between one endof the thumb engagingloop element and thecoupling element at the rear of the watch;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing a thumb engagingloop of different construction; and

.Figure 10 is a detail sectional view on the line ill-ltl of Figure 9.

In the selective embodiment of the invention here shown, there isillustrated, for purposes of disclosure, a small watch 2 of the typecommonly known as a wrist watc having the usual stem wind 3. Provided atthe forwardlylfacing edge portion of the watch case, when viewed asshownin Figure l, are the usual lugs 4 l between which is pivotallymounted a coupling element 5 by such means as a pin 6, well known in theconstruction of wrist watches.

A similar pair of oppositely disposed lugs '77 are fixed to therearwardly facing edge portion of the watch case between which ismounted a coupling element, generally designated by the numeral 8.Coupling element 3 is pivoted to the lugs 77 by a pivot pin 9, similarto pivot pin 6- at the opposite side of the watch.

The connecting element 5 at the front side or": the watch is preferablyshaped, as best shown in Figure 2, with its side edges taperinginwardly. One end of a flexible element, generally designated by thenumeral 11, is secured to the coupling element 5 by suitable means suchas the spaced slots 12, best shown in ri ure 4. The opposite end of'theflexible element 13 may be provided with a connecting link 13 whichpreferably is permanently interlocked with the coupling element 3, as bya fixed loop 14. The flexible element ill. is of such length that whenthe watch is placed on the top edge of the hand, or at the base of the Vprovided between the forefinger and thumb, the flexible element llcooperates with the watch to completely encircle the th and thus preventthe watch from shifting rearwardly on the hand, as shown in Figure l.The flexible element 11 is relative small in cross-section and may be inthe form of a cord, a small chain, a wire, or it may be made or"leather, plastic, or any other material applicable for the purpose. itsconnection with the coupling member 5 is preferably made adable wherebythe thumb encircling loop formed by t ent ll may be varied in size tofit the wearers thumb. While the loop element E1 is herein referred toas being flexible, it may in some instances be made of semi-flexible orrigid material without departing from the scope of the invention.

The coupling clement ti provided at the rear portion of the watch isshown having its rear marginal edge coiled upon-itself to provide atubular bore 35 adapted to receive the dual strands in of a id wireelement 17, best shownin Figure 2. The dual wire elements 16 within thetubular bore I15 are fixedly secured therein by suitable means, such assoldering, whereby the semirgid member 17 cannot relatively rotate inbore 15. This is importannas will subsequently be described.

Theouter free-end of the semi-rigid member 1'7 has one end of ahook-shaped element lit; pivotally connected thereto by means of an eye19 formed on the adjacent end of member Pivotaily connected to theopposite end of member is one end of an elongated connecting member,generally designated by the numeral 21. Connecting member .21 is shownhaving a hook 2;; at its free end adapted to engage the link 13 of thestrap element Ilil, as indicated in Figures '1 and 3, thereby to securethe watch in position upon the users hand, as will be understood byreference to Figure l.

The angle of the rear edge portion of the coupling element 8 of thewatch is such that when the watch is placed upon the top edge of theusers hand, as ind cated in Figure 1, with the flexible element ill.encircling the thumb, the hook element is will extend under the bottomedge of the individuals wrist and thus eiliciently encircle the wrist toprevent the watch from dropping from the indiv' als hand by gravity,when initially placed on the users hand prior to attaching hook 22 ofconnecting member 21 to link 13.

To thus initially suppot the watch upon the users hand, the connectionbetween the semirigid member 17 and coupling element 8 is fixed so thatthe dual wire elements it: within the bore 15 cannot relatively rotatetherein. By carefully observing Figures l and 3 of the applicationdrawings, it will be noted that the semi-rigid member 17 and hookelement it in conjunction with the loop member 11, cooperate toinitially suppont the watch in position upon the top edge of users hand,whereby the user may readily engage the hook 22 with the link 33 tosecure the watch to the users hand. in like manner, the watch mayquickly be removed from the hand by simplydisengaging the hook from 13and sliding the Clloop 11 forwardly off the thumb, as will be understooOne of the dominant features of the invention, as

se. i

hereinbefore stated, resides in the provision oithe thumb encirclingloop element ill in connection with the wrist encircling band 17 whichcooperate to retain the watch in position on the top edge of the hand atthe base of the thumb, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Another feature resides in the small cross-section of parts ll, 17, 18,and 21, whereby these parts, when engaged with the users thumb andwrist, are not likely to promote perspiration in hot humid weather andcause irritation of the skin and discomfort to the individual wearingthe watch. Such a harness may therefore be worn in hot sultry weatherwith utmost comfort, and with the assurance the watch will be retainedin its correct position on the top edge of the individuals hand at alltimes, regardless of how the user may manipulate his hand. 1

In Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, there is illustrated a wrist watchsupporting harness of slightly different construction from the formillustrated in the preceding figures. In the form here shown, thecomposite wrist encircling band, generally designated by the numeral 23,is shown comprising a portion 2% for engaging the back of the wristprovided at one end with an enlarged head 24 having one of its marginaledges rolled upon itself to provide a tubular element 25 adapted to bereceived between the lugs 7--7 of the watch case and to be securedthereto by the pivot pin 9.

The portion 29 of the composite wrist band 23 extends from the head 24over the back side of the wrist and has its lower free end portionextending partially under the bottom edge of the wrist, as indicated at26 in Figure 6. The free end portion of the band 23 is curved inwardlyto form, in effect, a hook element 27, corresponding to the hook element18 of the wrist band shown in Figure 1. The hook element 27 of the wristband is important in that it serves to retain the watch and the wristband in position upon the upper edge of the users hand, as will next bedescribed.

The wrist band 23 is shown having one end of a chain section 28 securedthereto, as indicated at 29. Secured to the opposite end of the chain 23is one end of a flat strap-like element 31, the opposite end of whichhas a clasp 32 secured thereto. The clasp 32 is receivable in anaperture 33 provided in a depending flange 34 of the head 24, as bestillustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Clasp 32 is shown provided with a detent35 which extends slightly above the adjacent surface 36 of the clasp sothat when the clasp is inserted into the opening 33 in the head 24 ofthe wristband, the yieldable member 37 of the clasp is slightlydepressed, when the clasp is inserted through the opening 33, as willreadily be understood by reference to Figure 7. Thus, when the clasp isoperatively positioned in the aperture 33 it can not accidentally becomedetached from the head 24 of the wrist hand because of the detent 35engaging the flange 34, as will readily be understood by reference toFigure 7. The resilient member 37 of the clasp has its free end portionextending outwardly beyond the flange 34, whereby it may readily beengaged with a finger and depressed to permit the withdrawal of theclasp from the opening 33 of the wrist band, as is well known instructures of this general type. The portions 20 and 27 of the wristband 23, which are preferably made integral, are constructed of asuitable, semi-rigid material, preferably metal, having the inherentcharacteristics of being readily bendable and retaining its shape whenbent to a predetermined form, whereby it may readily be shaped toconform substantially to the contour of the wrist, circumferentially,upon which the wrist band is to be worn. This constitutes an importantfeature of the present invention, as hereinbefore stated, in that itmakes it possible to fit each wrist band to the wrist of the individualwho is to wear it, whereby the composite wrist band cannot relativelyrotate on the wrist and shift the position of the watch, even whenloosely fitted to the wrist. This results largely because of the oval orflat-like crosssectional shape of the average wrist.

By thus fitting each individual wrist band to the contour of eachwearers wrist, the band portions 29, 27 and 31 may be fitted to thecircumferential contour of each given wrist, as illustrated by the fulland dotted lines in Figure 6, wherein the full lines represent the bandportions 20, 27, 28, and 31, and the dotted lines R, the outline of thewrist.

A flexible thumb engaging element 38 has one end secured to the spacedlugs 4-4 of the watch by a suitable coupling element 39. This element isshown detachably secured to the lugs by the pivot pin 6,

The opposite end of the elongated flexible element 38 is showninseperably attached to the flange 34 of the head 24 of the wrist bandby suitable means, such as a link 41, shown in Figure 5. The thumbengaging element 38 is of restricted cross-section and may be made ofany suitable material which, when engaged with the thumb, may conformmore or less to the contour of the base of the thumb, when the latter isinserted through the loop element, as illustrated in Figures 3 to 8.

Another important feature of the device shown in Figures 5 to 8,inclusive, resides in the construction of the Wrist band 23 which, itwill be noted, is preferably formed of sheet materialand is strap-likein cross-section, and has the head 24 integrally formed therewith. Thehead, however, may, if desired, be made independently of the wristengaging portion 20 and the two parts suitably secured together toprovide in efiect an integral structure. 7

By thus integrally forming the wrist band 23 with the head 24, when thewatch is positioned on the top edge of the users hand, the portion 20 ofthe wrist band 23 will overlay the back of the wrist with the hookportion 27 thereof engaging the bottom edge of the wrist, whereby thewatch cannot slip off the hand by gravity, when in the position shown inFigure 5, as when initially placing the watch on the hand in preparationto closing the wrist band 23 around the wrist. This results because ofthe wrist band 23 fitting the contour of the: wrist, as hereinbeforestated, it being understood that the thumb encircling loop element 38prevents rearward movement of the watch upon the hand.

As hereinbefore stated, the thumb engaging element 38 may be made fromany suitable material applicable for the purpose such as a plastic cord,a small chain, or various other materials, its only function being toretain the watch in position on the top edge of the users hand, asillustrated in Figure 5.

The wrist encircling band 23, including the portions 20 and 27, isconstructed of a suitable semi-rigid bendable material, which is of suchshape cross-sectionally, that it may readily be shaped to conform to thecontour of the individuals wrist, when initially fitting the wrist bandthereto. The chain section 28 provides means for varying the length ofthe wrist band in accordance with the circumference of the wearerswrist.

The novel watch supporting device or harness herein disclosed ischaracterized by the unique arrangement of the thumb and wrist engagingloops which cooperate to support the watch on the top edge of the handwhere the watch is less likely to contact foreign objects, and wherebyit is plainly visible at all times. Said supporting loops also preventthe watch from relatively shifting its position upon the wearers wrist,regardless of arm and body movements. The composite harness is extremelysimple and inexpensive to manufacture, is light in weight, and presentsa very neat and attractive appearance to the eye when worn on anindividuals wrist, as indicated in Figures 1 and 5.

In the drawings and accompanying specification, the semi-rigid member 17is shown and described as being constructed of dual wires. Obviously,this member may be otherwise constructed without departing from thescope of the invention. In like manner the hook member 22 of the wristencircling member 21 need not necessarily be engaged with the link 13,shown at the rear end of the strap-like element 11, as obviously itcould be engaged with other means connected to the coupling member 8, aswill be understood. The portions 21 and 28- 31 of the two wrist bandsshown in Figures 3 and 6 could be constructed of expandable links orelements, whereby the free ends of said connecting elements 21 and 31could be permanently secured to the body of the watch, as will beunderstood. It is also to be understood that the novel watch supportingharness herein disaeaases closed may be varied in numerousways withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

In Figures 9 and 10 there is illustrated a thumb encircling element orloop 42 constructed of a suitable flexible material which may readilyadapt itself'to the contour of the thumb, as may best be understood byreferring to Figure 9. There are now available various plastic materialswhich are suitable for this purpose. Such materials are highly resistentto moisture, and provide adequate strength for such a device.

The thumb-encircling loop 42 is preferably fiat, as indicated at 40, soas to lie flatly against the peripheral surface of the thumb. Itsterminals 43 and 44 may, however, be otherwise shaped to facilitatesecuring them to a suitable coupling element, generally designated bythe numeral 45. For example, terminals 43 and 44 may be cylindrical incross-section, as shown in Figure 9. Terminal 43 may be permanentlysecured'in a socket device 46 formed at one end of coupling element 45,and terminal 44 may be frictionally received in a bore 47, provided in arestricted portion 48 of the coupling element 45, as best indicated inFigure 10. The end portion '44 of loop element 42 fits into bore 47 withsuflicient friction to assure the wearer that it is' not likely to shiftits position therein when the watch is worn.

To vary the size of loop 42, its end portion 44 is simply moved axiallyin bore 47, until the size of the loop freely fits the thumb, as will beunderstood. The coupling element 45 is shown slightly curved, as shownin Figure 10, whereby the socket device 46 may engage the inner side ofthe thumb in such a manner that the watch cannot relatively-shift itsposition upon the top edge of the hand, as may readily be understood byreference to Figure 9. By thus attaching both ends of loop element 42 tocoupling element 45 only, the stem wind 3 may readily be grasped by thefingers in the operation of winding or setting the watch. The couplingelement 45 is pivotally connected to the watch case by a pivot pin 6,similar to the ones shown in the previous figures.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, and the appended claims should be construed as broadly aspermissible in view of the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a wrist watch having a case provided with a pairof laterally spaced outwardly projecting lugs on opposite sides thereof,and a pin extending between and engaged with each pair of lugs, of awrist band comprising first and second semi rigid sections, said firstsection having one end secured to one of said pins between the lugsthereof and extending laterally therefrom over the top of the wrist,said second section having one end pivotally connected to the oppositeend of said first section and being shaped to provide a hooklike memberconforming substantially to the curvature of the lower portion of thewrist, and a third section having one end pivoted to the free end ofsaid second section, and having means at its opposite end for detachablysecuring said end to the watch engaging end of said first section,whereby said first, second, and third sections cooperate to completelyencircle the wearers wrist, and a thumb encircling member secured to thepin between the lugs at the opposite side of the watch and cooperatingwith said wrist-band forming sections to support the watch on the topedge of the wearers hand.

2. A wrist watch supporting device according to claim 1 wherein thethumb encircling member has its opposite end secured to the lugs at theopposite sides of the watch.

3. The combination with a wrist watch having a case provided with a pairof laterally-spaced outwardly-projecting lugs on opposite sides thereof,and a pin extending between and engaged with each pair of lugs, asemi-rigid flat main wrist band section having an enlarged head at oneend pivotally connected to the lugs at one side of the watch by one ofsaid pins, said main band-forming section extending laterally over thetop of the wrist and under the bottom side thereof, a flexible bandsection having one end pivoted to the free end of said mainsemi-flexible band section at the bottom side of'the wrist and havingmeans at its opposite end for detachably connecting it to the enlargedhead of said semi-rigid main band section, said sections cooperating tocompletely encircle the wrist, a flexible thumb-encircling member havingone end secured to the pin at the opposite'side of the watch between thelugs thereof, and means at the opposite end of said thumb encirclingmember for connecting it to the enlarged head of said main wrist bandsection.

4. A wrist watch supporting device according to claim 3, wherein thesemi-flexible main wrist band section has its free end portion shaped toform a hook for engaging the lower edge of the wrist and serves toretain the watch in position on the top edge of the wearers hand, whenthe free end of said flexible wristband-forming member is momentarilydetached from the enlarged head of said main semi-rigid main bandsection, as when applying the watch to the hand and wrist or removing ittherefrom.

5. In combination with a wrist watch having lugs on opposite sides fordetachable engagement of a wrist band, the lugs on one side engaging aflexible loop member for encircling the thumb, the lugs on the oppositeside of the watch engaging one end of a semi-rigid wrist-encirclingmember, unyielding in a lateral direction to the face of the watch forat least one-fourth the circumference of the wrist, and having ahook-like portion extending around the wrist on the side opposite fromthe Watch, and means for securing said hook-like portion to the watchthereby to retain the watch in position on the hand.

6. A wrist band according to claim 5 wherein the means for securing thehook-like portion to the watch cooperates with said hook-like member andsaid semirigid member to completely encircle the wrist.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS601,982 Peirson Apr. 5, 1898 1,139,560 Mosher May 18, 1915 1,628,278Schever May 10, 1927 1,765,966 Clark June 24, 193-0 FOREIGN PATENTS618,601 France Dec. 20, 1926 a one 3%

